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Dean Milner - April 07, 2014

Robert Dean Milner was born Feb. 8, 1926, at the family home in Republic, Kan., to Lawrence Leonard and Ruby Irene (Roberts) Milner. He died at Chase County Community Hospital on April 7, 2014.

Dean moved with his family to the Imperial, Neb., area when he was a young boy. Later the family moved to the Haigler, Neb., area, where he grew up on the family farm, attending Prairie Gem Grade School and graduating from Chase County High School in 1943.

After graduation, he worked on the family farm and for many of the neighboring farmers. He farmed with horses until 1943. During this time, Dean attended many Saturday night dances and then played ball on Sundays with the Alvin baseball team. It was at one of the dances that he met M. Darlyne “Skip” Kramer. They married in St. Francis, Kan., on June 30, 1947.

Dean was engaged in farming until he enlisted in the U.S. Army in January 1952. He was stationed in Germany. After leaving the service in December 1953, he farmed half of the family farm until he and Skip moved to Omaha, Neb., in 1959. He worked for Kitty Clover and attended electrical school, worked part time in real estate and, after retiring from Kitty Clover, worked in maintenance at an Omaha school.

Dean was an avid bowler and golfer with several awards to show for it. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the American Legion in Omaha.

Dean was always an avid Husker football fan and for many years regularly attended the home games. Like most Husker fans, he was not shy about sharing his opinion about the state of the Huskers, and if you did not agree with him, he thoroughly enjoyed debating the issue.

Although he did not have children of his own, Dean and Skip were very involved with many of the activities of their nieces and nephews and were always willing to provide support.

In July 1989, Dean and Skip moved to Imperial, Neb,, building a new home in the Max addition. Skip died in August of 1998 after a long illness.

Dean met Dorothy (Johnson) Vlasin at the senior center in Imperial, and on April 17, 1999, they married. Dean was thrilled to acquire sons, daughters, 22 grandkids and 48 great-grandkids.

Dean and Dorothy enjoyed attending many of the sporting events and celebrations of his new family. They traveled in their motor home to various lakes in the area and camped and fished until about three years ago. Dean caught his first fish at age 75!

Dean enjoyed woodworking in his garage and made several yard signs for senior classes and many other items, including nativity scenes.

Due to declining health, Dean entered Imperial Manor in December 2013 and resided there until his death.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence (Pate) and Irene Milner; his wife, Skip; his brothers, Charles and Ron Milner; and sister, Viola Bischoff.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy of Imperial; sister, Virginia and husband Carl Ridlen of Fairview, Tenn.; brothers, Delmer and wife Wilma of Champion, Neb., and Leonard and wife Effie of San Jose, Calif.; sister-in-law, Monna Milner of Imperial; brother-in-law, Dale Bischoff of Wauneta, Neb.; many nieces and nephews; and his Vlasin family.

Funeral services were held April 10 at St. Patrick Church in Imperial with Father Bernard Lorenz officiating.

Masonic rites were by Purity Lodge #198 A.F. & A.M. Military rites were by Holyoke American Legion.